Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we’re joined by Mindy Elliott, Director of Education at The Emily Program, for a thoughtful conversation about supporting students in eating disorder treatment. With over a decade of experience, Mindy speaks to the concerns that many families face: What happens to school during treatment? Will my child fall behind? She offers both reassurance and practical insight, emphasizing that recovery and academic progress are not mutually exclusive. In fact, with the right support, they can go hand-in-hand.

Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or student yourself, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to choose between your health and education. With compassionate, individualized care, students can keep learning—and keep healing.

About Mindy:

Mindy Elliott, MS, (she/her) is the Director of Education and leads the education and school services at The Emily Program (TEP). She developed the academic programming for our Southeast sites beginning in 2012 and currently works with all TEP sites. She is dedicated to removing barriers to treatment by meeting the unique educational needs of each individual.

A leader in the hospital educator field, Mindy serves on the executive board of the Hospital Educator and Academic Liaison Association, the North American organization supporting professionals who work to improve the educational outcomes of students with medical and mental health needs. Mindy is also an Associate Editor of the international journal, Continuity in Education, focusing on the education of children and young people with medical and mental health needs. She holds degrees in English and curriculum and instruction, earned additional graduate certificates in school leadership and gifted education, and is a licensed principal in North Carolina.

We cover:

What school looks like during eating disorder treatment—and how it’s built into The Emily Program’s care

Why delaying treatment for school can backfire

What affirming support looks like for neurodivergent students

How families and schools can work together to support recovery

What to remember when treatment feels like “bad timing”

In Mindy's words:

On the myth that school has to come first: “There doesn't need to be a choice between school and treatment. Programs like The Emily Program offer school integrated into the treatment setting so that as your child gets well, they can continue making progress in school.”

On how academic accommodations work in care: “Our teachers are barrier busters. They look at each student individually…they can make a plan that’s both supportive of the child’s academic goals as well as their treatment goals.”

On the danger of waiting for the “perfect time:” “Eating disorder treatment is not something that can be done quickly and just timed perfectly for a school break. And so, kind of releasing that idea that school is the major decision maker…can help you focus on your recovery.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, Kezia Reeder joins host Dr. Jillian Lampert to offer thoughtful, compassionate guidance for anyone supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. As a clinician with lived eating disorder experience, Kezia understands how complicated it can feel to reach out for help—especially when you're afraid of saying the wrong thing or not being taken seriously.

Through honest conversation and real-life stories, Kezia and Jillian explore what support can look like—whether you’re a parent noticing early signs, a friend reaching out, or someone helping a loved one take the first brave step toward treatment. They reflect on the power of early intervention, the importance of trusting your instincts, and how simply showing up—consistently and without judgment—can make all the difference.

About Kezia:

Kezia Reeder is the Director of Clinical Operations at Accanto Health, with brands The Emily Program and Gather Behavioral Health. Kezia became involved in the eating disorder field after struggling with, and recovering from, an eating disorder in college. As a mother to a young daughter, Kezia is driven by her desire to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for future generations. Combining her professional skills with her personal mission, she is a fierce advocate for eating disorders awareness and treatment, passionately working to improve client care and access.

We cover:

What eating disorder signs can look like at any age

How to trust your gut and act early, even if others dismiss your concern

Ways to approach a friend with care and curiosity, not pressure

What happens when you make the first call for help

How to model body respect and food neutrality at home

In Kezia's words:

On making the first call for help: “The people you’re talking to really care and truly believe that getting help makes a difference. It was a lot less scary than I anticipated.”

On why early action matters: “The sooner we get someone the help they need, the better the prognosis. So if you’re delaying care—what if this goes on longer than it needs to? What are the far-reaching impacts of waiting to get the right care?”

On the effort recovery takes—and why it’s worth it: “[Eating disorders are] not a phase. It’s not something that will just go away… Recovery takes effort, and it can feel like a huge, daunting task—and it is so worth it.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, Katelyn Olmsted opens up about the challenges she faced as a teenager navigating an eating disorder, treatment, and recovery. She shares the fear and resistance she felt when faced with the idea of getting help, the moment she realized she could no longer fight her battle alone, and the community that helped her take her first brave steps toward healing.

Katelyn also describes how writing became a lifeline in treatment—one that eventually led to her book, Daily Dos of an Eating Disorder to Recovery. She reflects on the struggles of leaving treatment, relearning how to trust her body, and finding new purpose in sharing her story with others who feel lost in their own recovery.

About Katelyn:

Katelyn Olmsted is a young author whose recovery journey began at age 15 when she entered treatment. During her time in care, she began writing Daily Dos of an Eating Disorder to Recovery, a book that grew from her own experiences and now serves as a source of hope for others on their healing journeys. Katelyn is passionate about eating disorder awareness and aspires to become an eating disorder therapist and dietitian. Her story has been featured in podcasts and magazines, and she continues to share her experiences to remind others that recovery is possible, even when it feels out of reach. She is grateful for the support of her friends and family in Charlotte, North Carolina.

We cover:

The impact of adolescence and sports pressures on eating disorders

The emotional tug-of-war between wanting to heal and resisting treatment

How an eating disorder can offer a sense of comfort—and what helps let go

The challenges of rebuilding trust with your body after treatment

How writing can become a tool for healing

In Katelyn's words:

On misconceptions about eating disorders: “People think it’s a phase or, you know, a weight loss journey…When the truth is, it’s a struggle and a mental disorder.”

On seeing her journey as part of a bigger story: “My mom always said, ‘It’s just a chapter’...I turned that into, ‘I can use my chapter to write a chapter book and help someone else’s whole story.’ It was kind of a full circle moment because I realized—this is not my full story, this is just a chapter…and helping other people is helping myself.”

On what recovery has given her: “Recovery brings so many good things, so many opportunities, and even though it is a hard process—and I still have my days of struggles—it’s not worth going back… If I ever struggle, I sit just there and think: recovery has brought me this much good. Recovery has brought me going out to eat spontaneously with my friends, living guilt-free, being able to move my body, and have full energy.”

You can purchase Katelyn’s book, Daily Dos of an Eating Disorder to Recovery, through Amazon. You can also follow Katelyn on Instagram (@Katelyns.Daily.Dos).

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

Taylor Humphrey joins us in this episode of Peace Meal to recount her eating disorder experience and unpack the lessons she learned in recovery. Taylor’s story begins over a decade ago, when her concerns about maintaining her high level of athleticism drove her to form an obsession with “perfect” eating. Connecting with effective, age-appropriate treatment proved a struggle for Taylor and her family. The program she attended in early adolescence lacked proper eating disorder education, which led Taylor to feel disconnected, unsupported, and reluctant in her recovery.

Taylor turned a corner between the ages of 16 and 18 upon connecting with new clinicians who expanded her perspective and made her feel seen and accepted. Today, confidently equipped with her toolbox of recovery skills, Taylor leverages the “gifts” of her struggles to provide direction to young people and their parents going through the treatment journey.

Taylor Humphrey has been in eating disorder recovery for about ten years and has a passion for helping others who are struggling. She strives to spread eating disorder awareness—currently as a personal trainer and nutritionist, and previously as a coach for moms of daughters with eating disorders. She hopes someday to be an even bigger voice and advocate for recovery, as she feels blessed to be in her position and wants to show others the beauty of life in recovery and the strength they have within themselves.

We cover:

How adolescence can intensify treatment resistance

The healing power of relationships between the client and their treatment team

The challenges of maintaining recovery in a triggering home environment

How leaning on your support system can improve your self-agency

The need for firsthand guidance for families going through eating disorder treatment

In Taylor's words:

On how raising a young daughter helps sustain her recovery: “Having a young daughter is the biggest blessing and the most scary thing ever for me, going through this. My intention for her is for her to see her mom love herself…and I can’t do that if I’m not healthy. And I can’t do that if I’m slipping back into my eating disorder. I don’t want her to know that life. I want her to love herself and appreciate herself and everything that her body can do for her.”

On the perspective shifts of recovery: “Society isn’t correct. Diets don’t work because that’s not what our bodies are meant to do… If you respect your body and love your body and accept it for who it is and why it was created, you’re going to have a much more fulfilling life… my eyes are open to another world of love and acceptance.”

On what Taylor’s eating disorder experience gave her: “I [now] trust myself enough to be smart enough and good enough, to be an example to others, and to be a leader not a follower. I really do look at my eating disorder as a gift… I’ve learned so much from it—I’ve learned what I want and what I don’t want, who I am and who I’m not, what I like and what I don’t. And I’m okay with that, because of what I went through.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

Aronson Kagiliery joins Peace Meal to share her family’s journey of finding the right eating disorder treatment for her teenage daughter with anorexia. After exploring local options, she shares, her family ultimately traveled to pursue care at Veritas Collaborative. Most helpful to Aronson’s experience at Veritas were parent programming and weekend sessions, which affirmed that her daughter’s eating disorder was not her fault. She then offers insight on prioritizing treatment above a child’s other commitments, as well as providing support outside of treatment by refusing to let the eating disorder rule.

Reflecting on her daughter's treatment and recovery, Aronson reflects on the importance of self-care and attending to her own needs—something she wishes she had done more. She describes what gradual healing looked like for her daughter, including the signs she knew her daughter was getting better. In a particularly touching moment, Aronson recalls her daughter sharing that she has days where she doesn’t think once about her eating disorder, a reality they never imagined was possible. To close, Aronson graciously shares words of wisdom for other parents supporting a child with one of these illnesses.

Aronson is a wife, super-mom, entrepreneur, and community advocate. She studied psychology at the University of Central Florida, which led to a successful career in marketing and management at her family's pizzerias and her husband's car dealerships. Today, Aronson's greatest role is as a supportive wife and mom to twin daughters, now college-aged. Aronson is committed to sharing her experience and knowledge to help other families of children with eating disorders. 

We cover:

Why parents are not to blame for their child’s eating disorder

The role of therapy and education for families with a child struggling with an eating disorder 

The importance of support for parents within the recovery space as they learn to balance caring for themselves while supporting their child

How to prioritize recovery over a child’s other commitments, including school and extracurriculars

Gradual signs of healing in the nonlinear process of eating disorder recovery 

In Aronson’s words:

On her family’s experience with Veritas Collaborative: “I liked how I didn’t feel judged for being there. I felt like, ‘Hey, we are in this together.’”

On self-care during her daughter’s treatment: “I would, knowing what I know now, take that hour and do what you need to be able to recharge so that you still have something left for everybody else.”

On what recovery is for her daughter: “[My daughter said] ‘I have days it doesn’t even cross my mind.’ And that is what you’ve heard about, but don’t realize it’s possible. And then when you hear your child say, ‘I don’t think about it all the time,’ you’re like, ‘Okay, we’ve got this. We can do this.’” 

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

**Content warning: This episode includes discussions around suicidal thinking and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Please use your discretion when listening and speak with your support system as needed. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are resources that can help. Contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by texting or calling 988.

Episode description:

In Episode 85 of Peace Meal, we heard from Holly Thorssen about her experience parenting her daughter Madison through an eating disorder. Today, we pass the microphone to Madison, who tells us her recovery story in her own words. Madison begins by recounting her life with an eating disorder. As is often the case, her illness was all-consuming, depleting her ability to be fully present, clouding her values and belief system, and offering a sense of false happiness. At age 12, Madison experienced a barrage of depressive symptoms, which she connects to the onset of her disordered eating. In the absence of healthy coping skills, Madison’s eating disorder numbed her inner pain and released the emotional pressure of her depression.

Entering treatment at The Emily Program marked a shift in Madison’s recovery resistance. She emphasizes the impact of a whole-person care model and shares several takeaways from treatment that have been helpful to her healing. Reflecting on the adversities of her mental health journey, Madison explains why she’s fired up about enacting policy change that supports compassionate, individualized, evidence-based care so that no one feels hopeless about their mental health. Says Madison, “There’s always hope.”

In addition to being Holly’s daughter, Madison Hanson is a senior at North Dakota State University, double majoring in social work and human development and family science. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work after graduation next spring. Madison’s specific interest lies in macro social work and advocacy for stronger mental health laws to protect those struggling with mental illness. Outside of school, she enjoys yoga, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Leo.

We cover:

The role of a co-occurring mental health diagnosis in potentially triggering and maintaining an eating disorder

How to find separation between yourself and your eating disorder

The challenging process of overcoming food fears

The crucial work of protecting your healing and mental health in recovery

The need for a paradigm shift in mental health services—specifically one that priorities individualized care

In Madison's words:

On the importance of a holistic, person-centered care model: “The Emily Program was actually the only place that incorporated the aspect of the whole person approach. I found that [approach] in the program very helpful… Accepting the help and support was a lot easier after I learned this whole other way of going about [treatment].”

On protecting her recovery: “For me, it almost [requires] treating the eating disorder as an addiction. And when I say that, I mean I don't weigh myself at home anymore. I don't follow diet culture or buy diet products or any of that. I completely cut it out because there is no way of living half in the eating disorder and half out. It's kind of either all or nothing. And so by doing that, I don't have to think about it as much.”

On imagining life in recovery: “I would ask that person to close their eyes and think about if they didn't have their eating disorder or their mental illness. What would your dream life be? … Just imagine this. And then I would ask them to open their eyes, and I would tell them, you know what? It's actually going to be ten times better than that. And I know you probably don't believe it right now, and you might not believe it tomorrow, but I promise you, if you take those first steps, (even if you don't believe them)... it's going to get easier, and it's going to get so much better.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling...

Episode description:

Kathryn Garland and Vanessa Scaringi join Peace Meal to discuss the connection between attachment styles and the development and maintenance of eating disorders. They first provide an overview of attachment theory, exploring how this framework can help us better understand the impact of early attachment experiences on our relationships with food and ourselves. Insecure attachment styles, they explain, are associated with eating disorders and can manifest in disordered behaviors and thoughts. Kathryn and Vanessa share how therapists can help clients address attachment-related issues and nurture secure connections with family and friends that support recovery.  

Kathryn and Vanessa also dive into the impact of the pandemic on our ability to connect with others, which in turn has played a role in exacerbating disordered eating behaviors. In addition, they explain how a relational approach to eating disorder care can complement other treatment modalities, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). They end the episode by stressing the importance of connection to good mental health and encouraging those in recovery to take the time they need to nurture their relationships, both with others and themselves.

Kathryn Garland and Vanessa Scaringi are the co-owners of CALM Counseling in Austen, Texas. Kathryn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Supervisor and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. She has worked in community mental health, the foster care system, and eating disorder treatment, and is currently a field instructor for the Boston University School of Social Work. Vanessa is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor (CEDS-S), who has dedicated much of her career to working in the eating disorder field.

We cover:

How early attachment experiences impact our relationship with food, body, and self

The relationship between attachment styles and eating disorders

The impact of pandemic-related challenges on eating disorders 

How therapists can help people nurture the secure attachments that aid in recovery

How a relational approach to therapy can complement other treatment modalities, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

In Kathryn and Vanessa’s words:

Vanessa on the impact of attachment styles on relationships with food and body: “Your relationship with your caregivers and your attachment style is really symbolic of how you might interact with food and your body.”

Kathryn on tailoring care to each client: “That's kind of the art of therapy, right?... Knowing when to kind of come in with a stronger approach or a kind of more gentle approach with people, depending on the client who comes in.”

Vanessa on those who think recovery isn’t possible for them: “Go slow… The ability to improve attachments—that’s gonna take a while… So, go slow, not putting a lot of pressure on yourself, and making sure you find a team that works for you, that you can see yourself going slow with.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, Holly Thorssen recounts her experience of mothering her daughter Madison through an eating disorder. Holly walks us through the course of Madison’s illness, noting the warning signs of Madison’s struggles with food and body, and sharing the family’s efforts to find a suitable treatment provider. Holly acknowledges the importance of building a supportive, judgment-free space when discussing eating concerns with a child – a space where your child can feel safe enough to disclose their emotions and struggles without fear or shame. In a poignant moment of reflection, Holly speaks on how she learned to differentiate Madison’s voice from the voice of the eating disorder, leading to a better understanding of Madison’s conflicting desire to get better while also resisting change. Connecting with The Emily Program’s family-oriented specialty care made all the difference for Holly and Madison, offering much-needed comfort and healing for both mother and daughter.

Holly is a dedicated social worker and advocate for children's mental health. With 28 years of experience, including 21 years in children's mental health case management, Holly understands the challenges families face in accessing resources. Holly has two daughters and lives in rural northern Minnesota with her husband, Chad. In sharing her family's story of her daughter Madison's eating disorder, Holly aims to empower parents and let them know they are not alone in their struggles.

We cover:

How to reconcile missed warning signs as both a parent and professional in the mental health space

The extent to which eating disorders can warp a child’s thought process

The experience of navigating insurance coverage for treatment

The importance of a holistic, family-centered approach to care

How rewarding it is to see your child through the other side of their illness

In Holly's words:

On separating a child from their illness: “One day, Madison said something to me that was eye-opening, and I finally understood. She had said that there's days where the eating disorder is so loud that she can't tell what's her voice and what the eating disorder voice is…It gave me a better understanding and just how complex an eating disorder is.”

On finding community at The Emily Program: “I like the family component of it, where I was able to come there for big group family meetings with the rest of the parents of kids that were there. It was just so comforting to know that I was with people who knew what it was like. I could listen to their stories and their experiences and just feel some kind of familiarity that I'm with my people.”

On her advice to parents and families supporting a loved one with an eating disorder: “Don’t be ashamed. This isn’t something to hide… who cares what anybody else thinks? Just focus on your child and love them and reassure them that it's going to get better too, because sometimes when they're in that dark, low place, they can't necessarily see tomorrow. So you have to help paint a picture of what tomorrow can look like.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

Stacy Schilter Pisano joins Peace Meal to shed light on the signs, symptoms, and complexities of binge eating disorder (BED), dispelling the myth that it is merely a matter of willpower. She describes the unique challenges facing those with BED, including misunderstandings about the illness, cultural stigma and shame related to overeating, marginalization in healthcare settings, and societal weight bias, particularly for those with BED who live in larger bodies. In light of these challenges, Stacy emphasizes the vital importance of treatment tailored to those affected by binge eating.

Stacy then provides an overview of virtual CARE IOP, The Emily Program’s and Veritas Collaborative’s standalone program for those BED and OSFED with a pattern of binge eating. Informed by the expertise of eating disorder professionals and the lived experiences of previous clients struggling with binge eating, CARE IOP offers a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who truly understand their unique intersectional experiences. Unlike mixed-diagnosis treatment settings that may leave them feeling isolated, CARE IOP provides tailored, comprehensive care that promotes safety and healing. 

Stacy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Washington and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist. For nearly two decades, Stacy has helped individuals and families affected by body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and clinical eating disorders. Since 2014, Stacy has been the director of The Emily Program’s South Sound location in Olympia, Washington. Within this role, she oversees a multidisciplinary team of providers offering PHP, IOP, OP, and FBT services. Stacy also developed and supervises The Emily Program’s and Veritas Collaborative’s virtual CARE IOP.

We cover:

The prevalence, signs, and symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED) 

The benefits of highly tailored care for those with BEDs

Why and how The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative’s virtual CARE IOP program for BED was created to support those affected by binge eating

The unique program components of CARE IOP, including curricula related to weight stigma, self-compassion, and attunement 

How providers and loved ones can support someone with BED

In Stacy’s words:

On common misunderstandings about BED: “In our culture, people are urged to take responsibility for their relationship with food. And in the case of binge or overeating, many people believe that stopping is a matter of willpower or ‘getting control’ of their eating. And for some, they believe that one of the 33,000 diets out there will be the answer… People don’t fully understand that binge eating disorder is a mental health condition, and behaviors are the outcome of that complex array of different variables.”

On supporting a loved one with BED: “Binge eating disorder/binge eating behaviors are nobody’s fault. It wasn’t caused by any one particular thing and it’s not easy to overcome. So I think being able to just hold a lot of compassion as you’re interacting or engaging with somebody, or as you approach them in general.” 

On the complexity of BED: “You are not to blame. If you’ve tried hundreds of diets and each of them has failed, that’s the diet failing. 95-98% of diets fail. So it isn’t your fault… It is that complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors coming together in a perfect/imperfect storm.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.

Episode description:

Val Schonberg joins Peace Meal to discuss eating disorders during menopause, an often-overlooked period of vulnerability for midlife individuals. She begins by explaining why this life stage carries an increased risk for disordered eating and eating disorders. Our cultural biases toward aging and weight are partially to blame, she says, which can lead providers to misdiagnose or completely miss disordered eating behaviors. To better serve midlife individuals during this vulnerable period, Val urges healthcare providers to re-evaluate their own beliefs about aging, weight, and menopause. She emphasizes that menopause is a natural phase of life and not a “disease” that must be “fixed,” as many problematic cultural messages suggest. Val ends the podcast by expressing her belief that everyone can recover – no matter their age – and that aging is a precious gift. 

Val Schonberg is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition science from the University of Minnesota. She is Board Certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics, a Certified Menopause Practitioner with the North American Menopause Society, and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Val owns a private practice in Atlanta, Georgia, where she specializes in midlife health and menopause, recreational and professional sports nutrition, all types of eating disorders, and helping individuals break free from dieting and disordered eating. 

Originally from Minnesota, Val’s experience and expertise come from years of practice in many settings, including women’s health, eating disorder treatment, Division 1 college sports medicine, professional dance organizations, and speaking regionally and nationally on numerous nutrition-related topics. In addition to individual nutrition counseling, she is the consulting dietitian for Emory Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, Atlanta Ballet, and the Atlanta Dream WNBA team. 

Val is passionate about providing nutrition care to populations vulnerable to disordered eating and promoting positive nutrition messages that help people make informed decisions about their health and live a life where they are at peace in their relationship with food and their body.

We cover:

Why the transition to menopause can increase the risk for disordered eating and/or an eating disorder

How all eating disorder diagnoses are prevalent in middle-aged individuals 

Why menopausal individuals need support with their mental health as well as their physical health

How providers can better serve menopausal individuals with disordered eating and/or an eating disorder

How the public opinion surrounding menopause must be changed to eliminate shame and stigma

In Val’s words:

On the importance of self-reflection when working with menopausal individuals: “All of us really need to recognize and challenge ageism and weight bias. And, you know, part of that is then being curious, really curious, about your own views about aging, weight, and menopause.”

On supporting individuals who feel uncomfortable in their bodies: “Some of it is just validating, right? ‘This really sucks,’ instead of, ‘You just need to wake up and be positive about your body and just accept this.’ I am a big fan of body positivity and body acceptance and I do a lot of work with that, but the bridge to get to that space is…. just looking at it, validating it… sitting in the muck together.”

On recovery and aging: “I really believe that recovery is possible for everyone… and that aging and growing older is one of the best gifts in life.”

Visit EnlightenU Nutrition to learn about the services Val offers. You can also follow her on Instagram (@v.schonbergrd) and Twitter (@ValSchonberg).

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image,